Connor's Story: Thinking Outside the Box (Literally!)

At four years old, Connor found himself stuck inside a claw machine at a local restaurant. His mission? Rescue enough stuffed animals for his entire family. The owner had to remove the glass to get him out, but he was so impressed with Connor’s determination he let him keep the stuffies. 

This adventure offered an early glimpse of Connor’s compassion, creativity, and problem-solving skills, strengths often associated with dyslexia, even though his diagnosis was still years away. 

The youngest of five, Connor is kind, helpful, and full of personality. He plays football (defensive tackle), the trumpet, and cheers for the Bears and Cubs (mostly to spite his family of Sox fans). He is smart, inquisitive, and has excellent oral language skills, strengths that, ironically, made it harder to recognize the underlying cause of his reading difficulties. 

From the beginning, learning to read was difficult for Connor. His scores were below grade level, but it wasn't clear whether his struggles were from a lack of effective reading instruction or an underlying learning difference like dyslexia.

By third grade, Connor's teacher and family had serious concerns. He began avoiding schoolwork, often retreating to the bathroom or hallway. What might have looked like defiance or inattention was a child trying to escape situations that left him feeling embarrassed and defeated.

The emotional toll extended far beyond the classroom. His anxiety became so overwhelming that he sometimes threw up before school. Sadly, this kind of anxiety is not uncommon among children who struggle to read.

At home, Connor would say, "I'm so stupid," words that broke his family's hearts. His family requested an evaluation in third grade, but delays meant another year without the support he needed.

Finally, in fourth grade, Connor received a dyslexia diagnosis and an Individualized Education Program (IEP). He also had a teacher who had completed advanced training and a supervised practicum through Slant System Structured Literacy. With a teacher who understood his needs and knew how to help, things began to turn around for Connor.

Last summer, Connor continued with a Slant tutor alongside a friend who also has dyslexia, making it feel less like work. Now in fifth grade, spelling and writing are still challenging, but his reading skills and confidence have grown tremendously.

Connor's teachers say he is now excited to read aloud in class. His growing confidence has carried over into other subjects, where his participation and academic performance have also improved.

Connor's journey hasn't been easy, but it's taught him resilience and perseverance. That determined little boy who climbed into a claw machine is now a fifth grader with some encouragement for other kids struggling to read:

"Don't be sad. Keep going. You can get through anything if you put your mind to it."